While Packaging Innovations has always done what it says on the tin, over the past few years it could be argued that, while still visible, some of the innovative tech and applications on show at the event have been overshadowed by the ongoing debate about plastic – a debate that too often writes plastic packaging off as irredeemable.

With Drupa now just three months away from opening its doors – assuming it’s not subject to coronavirus-related postponement or cancellation – it’s safe to assume that many of the major manufacturers are gearing up to premiere new machines and technology imminently.

‘When China sneezes the world catches a cold’. It’s abundantly clear that the global spread of coronavirus COVID19 is already affecting the day-to-day lives of plenty of people in the UK, and it looks like the impact is only going to increase in the near-term – the government was poised to move to the ‘delay’ stage of tackling the virus as this issue of Printweek went to press.

Last month’s EFI user conference in Las Vegas may have marked a number of debuts, most notably the inaugural Connect for its new private equity owners, new CEO and new CTO, but the overarching message was a very familiar one.

The findings of a new report about the grocery sector have found that the switch by many brands and businesses from plastic packaging to alternatives is both confusing consumers and, in some cases, having detrimental effects on the environment.

The wider world and its leaders are finally waking up to the idea, thanks to numerous respected, heavyweight reports, undeniable evidence, and tireless campaigning, that what we use of the earth’s resources, what we do with them and how we put them back into the environment is having a direct and catastrophic impact on the health, and indeed future, of our planet and its inhabitants.

It has been a lively – some would say tumultuous – year for print. Brexit aside, the sector saw a number of major trends in 2019, but perhaps most notably M&A activity, business failures, and sustainability.

After more than 125 years in family ownership, it’s fair to say that the past 18 months or so have involved some pretty seismic changes at Huddersfield-based large-format display graphic specialist Leach.

When it comes to factors that determine and shape the colours used by brands, designers and manufacturers today, the catwalk has fallen out of fashion while social media is now the biggest influence, at least according to a new publication from papermaker James Cropper.

With ticket sales topping 3 million for the first time this year, the 345,000 copies of the programme produced for this year’s Edinburgh Fringe festival may on the face of it seem like a comparatively conservative figure.

Peter Redmond is on a mission. The new managing director at Manroland Sheetfed UK wants the firm to be much more in the mix when printers are considering purchasing a new press. Actually, to be in the mix in the first place.

It doesn’t bear repeating that these are uncertain times. As the Brexit deadline is delayed once again – and question marks remain over its ultimate shape and consequences – there is very little to reassure business leaders trying to steer their ships through unpredictable waters.

We have business features on the practical steps you can take to handle a no-deal Brexit and a report on how print remains a key medium for the academic market, especially in the form of prospectuses and brochures.